Marshawn Lynch continues to face an uncertain future in Buffalo

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on May 16, 2010, 2:52 PM EST

Three years ago, the Buffalo Bills made running back Marshawn Lynch the 12th overall pick in the draft. Lynch started his career with two solid seasons. In 2009, a suspension for violating the Personal Conduct Policy opened the door for Fred Jackson to become the No. 1 option.

Now, with the Bills using the ninth overall selection in the 2010 draft on running back C.J. Spiller, Lynch seems to be inching toward an exit from Buffalo.

As Bob Matthews of the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle observes, the recent addition of running back Chad Simpson could be even further proof that Lynch will be leaving.

The Bills reportedly have been willing to move him — and they reportedly wanted last month a second-round selection. To get value for him, however, they’ll likely have to lower their sights.

Then again, they can keep him around. If the Saints are willing to pay Reggie Bush $8 million to be one member of a three-headed tailback monster, the Bills surely would be willing to pay Lynch roughly 10 percent of that amount ($885,000) to play a similar role.

Lynch remains under contract for three seasons (the last year probably is voidable), and he’s due to earn base salaries of $1.14 million in 2011 and 2012. These are manageable numbers, and it could prompt the Bills to get what they can out of him — unless and until someone is willing to give them something they deem sufficient in exchange.

22 Responses to “Marshawn Lynch continues to face an uncertain future in Buffalo”

☻☼CBS, FOX, ESPN, NFLN nbc says:May 16, 2010 3:05 PM

PAC-10 Players suck

Nate is Gay for Brady says:May 16, 2010 3:17 PM

Keep him. He’s cheap, good, and only one screw up away from a 1 year suspension. He knows it, so he will behave. When the injury bug bites, Buffalo will have plenty of depth.

bobinpuertorico says:May 16, 2010 3:18 PM

The Bills might be willing to move Lynch if they could get fair value for him, but only a fool would think they are trying to get rid of him. He is a better RB than Fred Jackson and Spiller will split his time between RB and WR.
Lynch’s critics (like Bob Mathews) have continuously attacked him from the moment the Bills drafted him. They ignore the good things that he does on the field (over 1,000 rushing each of his first two years and a solid receiver) and off the field (generous to the poor and to children with his time and money). He had one minor traffic accident that was not his fault, when he did not realize that a drunk had staggered into the road and barely bumped his vehicle at night. Then he made a mistake and had an unloaded gun in the back of his vehicle, a misdemeanor that cost him a three game suspension and community service. Of course the police said they searched the vehicle because they smelled marijuana, but there were no charges for this. Could the police have made up this story, to cover up an illegal search?
In any event, Lynch made one mistake and he has done good on the field and off. The Bills will keep him, despite what clowns like Bob Mathews say, unless someone offers them at least a second round pick or perhaps a decent LT. Lynch just turned 24 and he has many great years ahead of him.

Jason says:May 16, 2010 3:19 PM

They’re probably better off waiting for somebody else’s top guy to get hurt if they’re going to deal him. Seems that most of the teams that could’ve used a running back addressed it in the draft.

Child_Please! says:May 16, 2010 3:21 PM

Another inept franchise.
Great fans, feel sorry for them.

Child_Please! says:May 16, 2010 3:30 PM

bobinpuertorico says:
May 16, 2010 3:18 PM
The Bills might be willing to move Lynch if they could get fair value for him, but only a fool would think they are trying to get rid of him. He is a better RB than Fred Jackson and Spiller will split his time between RB and WR.
******************************************
I think Fred Jackson has proved himself to be a better RB than Lynch.
Runs harder, plays harder, and has more heart

jackybadass says:May 16, 2010 3:42 PM

another dumb guy with a wealth of talent , throwin it away. so sad. what a waste!

smithopher says:May 16, 2010 4:38 PM

screw it, at that salary, the Jets could use the third back. Give em Sione Pouha, the Bills need the NT badly. Should be a better trade for the Bills honestly.

crabman82 says:May 16, 2010 4:39 PM

seahawks should have gotten lynch instead of fatdale white and one leg leon

Mikey D says:May 16, 2010 4:55 PM

# smithopher says: May 16, 2010 4:38 PM
screw it, at that salary, the Jets could use the third back. Give em Sione Pouha, the Bills need the NT badly. Should be a better trade for the Bills honestly.
LOL no thanks I would rather put Kyle Williams in there than Pouha. Pretty dumb suggestion unless you gave us a 3rd round pick as well.

K says:May 16, 2010 5:15 PM

When you watch 16 Bills games per year, you grow tired of watching a 5’11 220 pound running back, dance and tip-toe at the line of scrimmage. Not to mention that he is a PR nightmare for a franchise trying to sell luxury seats to an angry fan base. CJ Spiller is the “anti-lynch”, a great kid, with a degree and tremendous character who plays hard every down. The Bills ignored needs on the O-line to draft this kid to make a point. Lynch’s days in Buffalo are numbered.

Byrd Is The Word says:May 16, 2010 6:11 PM

Who the heck is Chad Simpson, and how does his signing threaten Marshawn Lynch?
Everyone who lives in the Rochester area thinks Bob Matthews is a joke, and have for years. All he does is blow smoke, and then other media types act like he is actually reporting substantial news.
I’ve disliked Bob Matthews since 1994 when he wouldn’t even answer a few questions over the phone for a 7th grade english project I was doing,

gogobox says:May 16, 2010 7:02 PM

Lynch had one good year, then his head exploded…
Get him into KC…. he will have no choice but to RUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

Bious says:May 16, 2010 8:05 PM

It really isn’t that crazy to think that the Bills will use both RB’s the way Carolina does with their RB’s
And why not? The Bills have no QB that is worth a crap

Zane says:May 16, 2010 8:08 PM

San Francisco seems to have addressed most of their needs. What would be the harm in trading for Lynch? He & Gore would be a beastly backfield.

Beastie Bills says:May 16, 2010 8:45 PM

Let’s see…..
Lynch is the best RB on the roster, and he’s also the cheapest…. by far.
Yeah, I wonder why the haven’t traded him.

Ray says:May 16, 2010 9:47 PM

RAMS should think of this guy and not broke down Westbrook

FumbleNuts says:May 16, 2010 9:54 PM

Seahawks should swap Julius Jones for Lynch.

Boss Hog says:May 16, 2010 10:58 PM

nobody circles the wagons like the buffalo bills

Sam says:May 17, 2010 12:25 AM

I want him 25 carries a game or gone… And who ever said he helps the poor and needy is a dumb a** that right there tells me no body on this page prolly lives in buffalo the guy was reported to the police for stealing 5 bucks off a table in a local resturaunt he is a social nightmare if he’s not producing on the field then get him out of our city… FJ and lynch a pretty much the exact same back and lynch has upside due to his age so this is the final lap I’d say for him in B lo if he doesn’t show “the goods” this year then he’s out and FJ will be the stop gap until a replacement is found… but trust me lynch is no giver it must be something about the west coast?????

buffalokie says:May 17, 2010 9:41 AM

Sam says:
May 17, 2010 12:25 AM
“the guy was reported to the police for stealing 5 bucks off a table in a local resturaunt ”
_____________________
It was $20…and it was the chief of police’s wife…and there is no way in hell I believe one bit of it. Get real man.

Sam says:May 17, 2010 10:50 PM

@ buffalokie
oh I’m sorry the dollar amount wasn’t right…….actually IT DOESNT MATTER.. True or not the guy needs to clean up his act if amybodys yard should have been trashed this season it was his not leodis’… And I assume you also live in buffalo so you should know that the last thing we need as a city is a notable member of our football team ruining our rep even more…. DREW BREES HEEEEELLLLLLLPPPPPP!!!!!!!!